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Jesus had just touched the eyes of the blind; now a dumb man is brought to Hint. Speech the special gift and privilege of man. It is the revelation of thought; the aqueduct of the soul; the medium of companionship. Dumbness one of the greatest blights of life. The highest privilege of speech is found in the Divine sphere.

I. SPIRITUAL DUMBNESS IS A GREAT CALAMITY. Through four thousand years God was approaching a dispensation of tongues for the highest expression of His life to men. From Abraham to Christ was the dispensation of dreams. .Not to use the tongue for the propagation of Divine truth is to cut it off from its highest usefulness. Dumbness and deafness are allied: not to speak for Christ is not to be able to hear Christ's words to your own soul (Romans 10:9).

II. SPIRITUAL DUMBNESS IS OCCASIONED BY DEMONIACAL POSSESSION. When Christ cast the devil out the dumb spake.

1. Some complain that their intellectual culture is not sufficient to enable them to speak to edification. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings God hath ordained praise. The demon of intellectual pride must be cast out.

2. Some say, "I have very little ability, others can do so much better." God does not want ability so much as availability. The demon of selfishness must be cast out.

3. Others say, "I can't and I won't use my tongue in the Church's service, I have not been used to it." The demon of wilfulness must be east out.

III. CHRIST'S WORK AMONGST BIEXR IS TO CAST OUT DEMONS THAT POSSESS THE HUMAN SOUL. (1 John 3:8.)

(J. F. Clymer.)

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KJV: As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.

WEB: As they went out, behold, a mute man who was demon possessed was brought to him.